Hernandez ruins Suarez's Liverpool return

Manchester United's Mexican forward Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the League Cup football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester on September 25, 2013. United won 1-0. (AFP)

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Liverpool's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez looks on during the League Cup football match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester on September 25, 2013. United won 1-0. (AFP Photo)

London (AFP) – Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez ruined Luis Suarez's long-awaited return from suspension as the Mexican clinched a 1-0 win against Liverpool in the League Cup third round on Wednesday.

Suarez was making his first appearance of the season following the completion of his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League clash last term.

But the controversial Uruguayan's presence in the Liverpool starting line-up wasn't enough to galvanise his team to victory at Old Trafford as Hernandez bagged the winner for United less than two minutes into the second half.

David Moyes's team were on course to bounce back from Sunday's painful 4-1 derby defeat at Manchester City, and also avenge a 1-0 loss against Liverpool in the league this season, when Wayne Rooney's corner picked out the unmarked Hernandez to volley home in the 46th minute.

Suarez, who had angered Liverpool with his failed attempt to engineer a move to Arsenal during his suspension, hit the bar with a free-kick in the closing stages and also went close when his powerful strike rippled the side-netting, but United held on to move into the fourth round.